The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1887-05-11

The stars come nightly 10 the sky.
The tidal wave upon the sea
Nor time. nor space. nor deep, nor high,
Can keep my own away from me.
GOOD BREEDING VS.. ETIQUETTE
THE QUESTION THAT IMPaEssEs ITSELF AND
Is GROWING on THE AMERICAN MIND.
The question of etiquette is one which
impresses itself with constantly growing
force upon the average American mind;
witness the daily increased number of
books purporting to guide the ignorant
neophyte through the labyrinthine intri-
cacies Of polite society; witness the keen
interest Of young persons whensuch ques-
tions are discussed; witness also the curl
ous (for an outsider and daily increasing
column of inquiries regarding points of
social etiquette in certain popular news
papers. True, the style of many among
those inquiries reveals the fact that the
writers have failed TO receive even the
ciety relations; still the fact remains
that general desire is felt, in most cir
cles, to grasp the laws of etiquette for per
manent guidance, while an uneasy feel
ing Of disappointment is experienced at
finding those laws as elusive and INSULT
cient as they seem to be despotic.
What is etiquette? The word is of
French origin, and like many OF its con-
geners has suffered extension and distor-
ton in its figurative usage. Primarily,
the word means simply ticket, label,
placed ON bottle, box or other recipi-
ent, TO indicate its contents-and its ex-
tended meaning it applies to the acts
and manners which are the outward sign,
the label of refined character. In the
French language, however, the word eti-
quette is reserved TO indicate customs or
requirements in court, ceremonial or Of
fetal displays: it is never used in refer
ence to mere society department; the
words bon,.es na,aicres, Jelles nanieres, usage
da monde, Saroir rtore mot .Saroir fdtre ,
being employed in its stead.
Every reader of Queen Marie Antoi-
ncttes story remembers how the poor
Young princess, upon her arrival in France
was tormented by the unceasing sugges-
tions respecting her behavior, of the fol-
NAL and uncompr)mising old Duchess de
Noailles, whom, in girlish revenge. she
surnamed Madame rEtiquette But,
in less exacted spheres. refinement and
tact suffice
At the present time, owing TO various
causes, the laws of social intercourse in
this country are somewhat like the ba-
bies in Pinafore, very much mixed up
the very fact of their being 80 largely dis
cussed, is a proof of the unsettled state of
ideas in that respect. This is natural.
The laws and customs of society are the
last, the tardiest fruit of civilization, ex-
ceeding slow of development. they re-
quired centuries TO grow up to perfection
among the old nations of Europe At the
birth of the young American Republic
English customs naturally continued
prevalent. though with such necessary
modification as would make them adapt
ed 10 democratic society. The type of
Washington himself as first gentleman of
the United States does not strikingly diff
fer outwardly from that of an English or
French sovereign, but the type of Mrs.
w asnington stands unparalleled in con-
temporary society, her simple stateliness,
her regal attitude and department unit
ed to an almost puritanical severity ofat-
tire The refined countenance framed in
the plain ,natronly cap and snowy ker
chief constitute a type absolutely original
and independent. In this direction
American society might have struck
typical line of proud simplitity in man
ners-but il has not Certain II is, at that
early epoch manners were perfect and de-
lightful; Of etiquette proper, although it
existed, in fact there does not seem 10
have been any undue preoccupation
among the ladies of the capital nor do
we fin in the correspondence and diaries
of the time the illusions and references 10
It's tyranny, which constantly occur in So
called society novels Those ladies-be-
ing such by birth and surrounding
were brought up according TO their de
gree naturally courteous. digniiied and
taught from childhood TO lubricate the re-
81
consideration. Secure in their high
breeding. free from the nervous terror of
doing anything that would be unlady-
like, they quietly knew that they could
not commit solecisms in good manners,
and they moved with ease and grace,
trusting simply and proudly to their nat
ural distinction 10 carry them smoothly,
beautifully along their appointed path.
They did not allow themselves to be
hampered by petty doubts concerning
trivial points of etiquette. To compare
this wholesome repose Of mind with the
importance allowed in our day to such
trifiing matters, is 10 measure al glance
how far present society stands from the
society OF those earliest years.
Moreover. etiquette. cannot be absolute
however tyrannical in its DEGREES. it is ca
pricious and changeable in its manifesto
fions. it differs among different nations
Without going so far as comparing Du
chaillu's experience of civilization in
Lapland with the customs of polished
countries, we are constantly reminded on
our travels that the manners and usages
& a eople are the resultant Of its char
acter, history, and even conditions Of eli
mate and latitude. The insular Eng. "a
saan is reserved and selfcsntainsd: the
~ine-drinking Frcnvhman b e--asai !. s,s
and hepsful The sun-Oroakoi iiaii.lsi
entlpnsiastr and dsinons rafive hei,ls.
it rsaalnss al the spiendors Of gnafds
soii,ae 10 e..iven Engiish dinner,, While
the well bred Frenchman viii not tarv
IN a dining room after the ladies leave il.
and the Italian, on greeting a lady, win
not fail 20 kiss her hand. while the Span
lard, in certain provinces. xill kiss first
her hand and then her ckeek. Aside Of
snch Characteristic differences. there are
.hsrsand hinor variations on the
theme. and again an infinity OF fortuifoas
situations and rela onswhich can neither
f,e foress.en nor proyided for h,r eren tho